-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- For Kei Nishikori , `` Project 45 '' has transformed into `` Project 10 . ''

The former was the 23-year-old 's mission to topple the highest tennis ranking ever held by a Japanese male , Shuzo Matsuoka , who hit world No. 46 back in July 1992 .

Nishikori smashed through that particular barrier towards the end of 2011 and has enjoyed a formidable few years on Tour , beating the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer .

Japan 's rising son now sits in the lofty position of world No. 11 -- his highest ever ranking -- and is tantalizingly poised to gatecrash the top 10 .

But with success comes expectation .

This surge towards the game 's pinnacle has elevated Nishikori to rock star-like status in his home country , its population clamoring for their first ever grand slam champion .

`` I try not to think too much because if I start thinking then I feel pressure myself , '' Nishikori told CNN 's Human to Hero series .

`` I think people have started thinking about me winning a grand slam or getting to the top ten but it might take some time .

`` I sometimes feel the pressure from a lot of things -- my team , my country , my fans -- but you have to handle it well .

`` My next goal is to win a grand slam . Hopefully I can do it someday . ''

Shot maker

A first major could be around the corner if famed tennis coach Nick Bollettieri is to be believed .

Nishikori left Japan for Bollettieri 's Florida academy aged just 13 without a grasp of English , but the intensive work on his game bore fruit within five years as he lifted his first ATP Tour title in Delray Beach .

According to the man who has coached a phalanx of the game 's greats like Andre Agassi , Monica Seles , Boris Becker and the Williams sisters , Nishikori is `` a shot maker . ''

Bollettieri told CNN . `` When he 's on , he can beat anybody in the world . ''

Djokovic and Federer can testify to that .

Both victories served as proof Nishikori has what it takes to prosper at the game 's top table .

Career landmarks

In 2012 he became the first Japanese player to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 80 years and then went on to win the Japan Open -- the first home-grown talent to do so in the tournament 's 41-year history .

He may have lost to eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round at this year 's French Open , but he was the first Japanese player to get to that stage since 1938 .

Nishikori clearly relishes testing himself against the best players of what is widely regarded as a golden generation .

`` I love to play against the top ten guys , '' he said . `` Beating Roger this year and beating Djokovic two years ago -- that is why I am playing tennis , to play those top 10 guys and to beat them .

`` I still have n't beat Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray , there are more challenges to come to play those guys . ''

At world No. 11 he is the highest ranked Asian male player by a distance -- the next in line is Yen-Hsun Lu from Chinese Tapei in 60th -- and Nishikori wants to blaze a trail like Li Na who won China 's first ever grand slam at the women 's French Open in 2011 .

`` I am trying to get to be the most successful player in Asia , '' Nishikori added . `` In tennis not many players get to the top 10 -- I think only a few in the past .

`` It 's still weird for me to think I 'm the number one player in Asia , because when I was young I could n't think I 'd be the number one player in Japan or even Asia .

`` But now I am and I have to receive it in my mind , my dream is coming and hopefully I can go further . I think Li Na did a great job . Hopefully I can be the first one to lead the young guys . ''

Fed hero

Nishikori still refers to Federer , whose elegance while accumulating his 17 major titles has seen him described as the greatest the game has ever seen , as his idol .

No wonder then that Nishikori joked he 'd need a couple of days to celebrate after achieving one of his career goals by beating the Swiss at the Madrid Masters in May .

Federer 's dominance of men 's tennis was ingrained by the time Nishikori turned professional , but prior to that it was Matsuoka he was desperate to emulate .

`` I have two heroes , '' he explained . `` The first one is Shuzo Matsuoka , he was the first -LRB- successful Japanese player -RRB- -- he was the best tennis player in Japan .

`` And Roger Federer . Still now , even though I love to see him play I think he is really the champion of tennis history . ''

` Project 45 '

Nishikori 's rise saw a swell of optimism that he could be a pioneer for tennis , hence the ` Project 45 ' hype as he edged towards usurping Matsuoka 's ranking .

`` Project 45 was no pressure for me -- I was just playing tennis for my hobby , '' he said .

`` My first goal after turning pro was to get into the top 100 and after to be 45 . It was one of my goals to be number one tennis player in Japan , and now I am ranked No. 11 in the world .

`` To get to the top 10 is my next goal . It 's not going to be easy to get there -- hopefully this year -- but I am getting close . ''

Rock star status

Like Matsuoka , Nishikori has come to understand what being Japan 's sole representative inside the top 120 means -- fame and adoration .

Much like Andy Murray who has had to carry the hopes of the United Kingdom on his shoulders , Nishikori has the same weight of responsibility , but answers to double the amount of people .

`` I go back to Japan about three or four times a year , '' he explained . `` I get to go back to my home town and , yes , people do recognize me on the streets .

`` It 's not easy sometimes ; you do n't get to relax but at the same time I still try to enjoy the moment . Not many people can feel that way -- I love to stay in Japan , I really enjoy it when I go back . ''

Not for a second does he begrudge the accoutrements that his success in the game has delivered . He 's just a boy made good from Shimane acting out his hobby on the global stage .

`` For me , playing tennis was always my hobby , I am a lucky guy , '' he said .

`` It was something I loved . It is something that can make you mad or crazy sometimes but it is something you love and not many guys can do your job .

`` I try to enjoy this moment and this life -- it is not going to be a long time , 10 to 20 years , so I 'm going to work hard . ''

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Kei Nishikori is the highest ranked Japanese male tennis player in the Open era

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The 23-year-old has climbed up to now be ranked world number 11

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He has beaten the likes of Roger Fereder and Novak Djokovic in recent seasons

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Nishikori enjoys almost rock star-like fame back in his home country